Archive for the ‘Obituaries’ Category

Errol Lee just rang Bruce Owen to inform him that Old Boy Ross Cashmore has died.

Ross attended Dilworth from 1947-56.
He taught at the school in 1967-68 before he headed off to Canada for a while.
He has been living in Thames in recent times.
Ross was the President of the Thames Golf Club (http://www.thames.nzgolf.net/ownpage.htm), who are due to have their 100 years celebrations in early April.
He died in his sleep at home in Thames and was due to play a round of golf this morning.

I am sure all of our thoughts will be with Ross’s family at this sad time.

ex NZ Herald 23 March: Geoffrey Ross (Ross). Peacefully at home in Thames, on 22 March, 2010; aged 69 years. Cherished husband, best friend and soul mate of Estelle (Betty). Adored father of Shelley and Andy, and Stephen. Loved and respected Step-Father of Verian, Jake (Dean) and Karen, Andrew and Karoline. Loved Granddad Ross to all his grandchildren, and friend of James and Debbie. A Service for Ross will be held at The Thames Golf Club, State Highway 26, Thames, on Thursday 25 March at 11am. In lieu of flowers donations to the Thames Golf Club would be appreciated and may be left at the service or posted to PO Box 179, Thames. Communications to: 200 Reservoir Road, Thames.

Bill Barker: Ross (Soapy) Cashmore was one of those special old boys  and Staff members, he was even coach of the first XV in my second to final year (1968). He would have turned 70 in June.

Barry Hill: I am very saddened to hear of Ross’ passing.  We taught together at Dilworth in the mid-sixties before Ross left to go to Canada.  He was a fine colleague, an excellent sportsman (particularly rugby; captained Otahuhu seniors as I recall), had a warm, friendly personality and a great smile.  I remember he came into the staff room one Monday morning after a particularly hard club match with a ‘wild’ broken nose to match his rugged looks!  Rarely heard him complain; he just get on with the job.  I never saw Ross again after he left Dilworth but I remember him very well and was grateful for his supportive ways.

I would appreciate it if you could pass on my condolences to his family.  My thoughts are also with the Old Boys particularly of Ross’ era.  As you said Bill, Ross was a special guy.

Bruce Owen : I endorse Barry’s remarks.  Ross was a great guy and came to Dilworth at a time when its was great to be part of a team of young teachers who were making a change to the very traditional and narrow way that Dilworth  had been run.  He was a fine colleague.  Ross just quietly got on with the job, with his thorough professionalism. As Barry says he loved his sport.  Unfortunately the attraction of the big OE took him to Toronto and beyond.  His short time at Dilworth as a teacher was a good time.

Peter Purcell Tapper, an Old Boy and former Dilworth Trustee passed away peacefully in his sleep on the 11th February 2010 at Huntleigh Home, Kakori, Wellington at the age of 77 years. Greatly loved husband of the late Anne Christina Tapper (born Weatherly) and devoted father of Sarah Jane Tapper. Peter was the loved, youngest and last surviving member of the Family of the late Percy and Evilyn Tapper. Brother of the late Ken, Griff, Frank, Val (Stirling), George, Bill, Vic, Harry, Brian, Cora (Hayes), Garth and Gayle (Nuttall) and their spouses as well as numerous great nieces and nephews. Peter was an old boy of Dilworth School and of Admore Engineers College. His working life was spent as an engineer first with Shell International and then the Woodside Offshore Petroleum. He was brother to Garth Tapper the painter, also an Old Boy. Peter was a very supportive Trustee, taking a genuine interest in all that went on. He was very keen to see the school at the cutting edge of technology.

A Funeral Service will be held at Dilworth School Chapel, Erin Street Epsom, Auckland, on Thursday February 18, 2010 at 1.30pm, to be followed by interment at Manukau Memorial Gardens, 357 Puhinui Road, Papatoetoe. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Enquiries may be directed to Wendy Alexander (09) 623-3446 or Sibuns Funeral Directors 520-3119.